The woman flicked the notes carefully through her fingers, tapping the stack of cash against her desk and peering up over her horn-rimmed glasses.

“Not police?”

The man shook his head. There was a note of threat to the question and he turned away, fixing his gaze through the doorway, his heart racing.

Silken bronze skin swept beneath long curls of onyx hair. Asian eyes were lidded and docile. The woman he desired tugged her skirt over a blackened bruise.

“You like?” the Madame slipped the money into a draw, her finger stroking a pistol.

“Yes. Very much,…”

(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Tom Sodoge via Unsplash.

This story was inspired by an audition I went to in Soho, years back. I ended up drinking coffee in a cafe near the studio and watched as a woman tried to tempt men into a doorway. I only ever heard a snippet of words over the noise of the crowd: “Not Police?” It always stayed with me.

If you have a word that reminds you of something, pop it in the comments and I’ll write you a story. You can also tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory.

Hit that follow button (below to the right) and follow the OWOS facebook page for a new short story every day!

The blueprint dimpled as Joseph poked his finger against the paper. That was the point of entry. That was the place the explosives needed to be set.

The four men looked at each other and nodded in silence before quietly unlatching the van door and filing out into the harsh, cold night.

Beside them, the jewellery repository rose through the street light, its towering brick walls disappearing into the gloom above. Three of the men were already creeping across to the alleyway behind. The fourth kept lookout.

He saw a cop watching from the shadows.

He smiled. He turned away. He waited.

(c) Tim Austin 2016. Promo image by Matthew Skinner via Unsplash.

If you’d like me to write you a story based on a word of your choice, pop your word in the comments section below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hastag #onewordonestory.

If you’re enjoying the stories, please let me know, share them with your friends and follow the blog here and at the OWOS Facebook Page.

The cherry was as sour as Levon’s mood. His mouth welled with juice as he leant against the rusted hulk of his car, his breath billowing in frozen clouds.

The sun was just creeping above the frosted horizon, slowly revealing the pitch-black earth of the fields. Levon remembered days when he would sit with his father and watch the sun rise. Such innocent days when the cherries were still sweet. So long ago.

The trunk of the car rattled and shook. Levon slashed his foot against the metal, barking at the girl to keep quiet.

(c) Tim Austin. Promo image by Jake Malera via Unsplash.

I’m looking for new one word title suggestions: pop your word in the comments below or tweet it to me @timaustin2k using the hashtag #onewordonestory and you could be the inspiration for a 100 word story!

Please hit the share buttons below and like the OWOS Facebook page by clicking here so you never miss a story.